Pretoria – The Department of Basic Education says it is pleased with the attendance at schools in the Vuwani area and that schools that were severely damaged by fires are going an extra mile to ensure that the catch up process begins.
The department on Wednesday said it has been monitoring the restoration of education services in the Vuwani area.
“Learners and teachers showed their dedication to education by turning up to schools in large numbers today and begun the tedious process of catching up on lost time.
“Even in schools that were severely damaged by the fires, learners and teachers did not let the circumstances or lack of resources deter them from their work, education officials even found teaching and learning taking place under trees where necessary,” said the department.
The department said although it is not ideal to teach learners under trees, it illustrates the value both learners and teachers place on education.
“For this, the Department of Basic Education thanks and appreciates these efforts despite the severe circumstances and environment. The department has begun to deliver resources to the affected schools and more mobile classrooms will be delivered next week,” said the department.
It said government continues to work with the community to ensure peace and stability is fully restored and the main priority for the department is to ensure that learners’ right to basic education are protected.
According to the department, the Limpopo Education Department is conducting an assessment to establish the true cost of the damage in the area. The national and provincial departments of education said they will ensure that a conducive environment is created for learning and teaching.
“Department of Basic Education would like to humbly thank all parties who made it possible for schooling to be restored today.
“This includes the Traditional leadership and members of the community but also learners and especially teachers who have displayed incredible dedication to the profession and gone above and beyond to help learners during this difficult time,” said the department. - SAnews.gov.za
